Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Control Savings.

Michael Woods

Question:

203 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Social Welfare the value of control savings achieved in his Department in each of the years from 1994 to 1996; the projected savings for 1997; and if he will give a breakdown for each year under the headings of disability benefit, pensions, treatment benefits, unemployment payments, child benefit, PRSI, PAYE and other. [5595/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The calculated value of control activities by my Department is based on the following elements: future savings estimated as a result of sign-offs, terminations or reductions; over-payments set up; and PAYE-PRSI determined as a result of employer inspections. In addition, there is the deterrent effect which control work has on fraud and on abuse of the social welfare system. While this also gives rise to savings, no figures are available for these savings.

The following table gives the value of control activity for 1994, 1995 and 1996, the projected savings for 1997, and a breakdown by scheme-PRSI for each year.

Scheme	Annual Savings 1994	Annual Savings 1995	Annual Savings 1996	Projected Savings 1997
	£m	£m	£m	£m
Unemployment	43.5	48.6	59.0	67.0
Illness	23.0	25.4	25.0	28.0
Pensions	35.0	29.7	37.2	36.0
Child Benefit	2.0	2.4	3.3	3.5
PAYE/PRSI	15.0	15.8	12.9	15.0
Others	—	2.6	3.6	5.5
Total	118.5	124.5	141.0	155.0

With regard to unemployment payments, estimated additional savings of £55.7 million were achieved in 1996 from the intensification of the control measures from September 1996. These savings are built into the underlying estimate for unemployment payments for 1997.